the role of rural cooperatives in increasing income and investment in handicrafts domains (case study: hand-woven carpet cooperatives of khorassan razavi province)

1. introduction handicrafts as the most important item of iran historical identity and a cause for economic growth and development in the modern world show the tribal and native specifications this land. handicrafts have played an effective role in cultural changes from long years ago. in many of iranian cities and rural districts handicrafts are produced and hand-woven carpets are the most important one that makes the highest rate of exports. hand-woven carpet cooperatives as a producing system that supports iranian hand-woven producers play an important role in this industry. the research work deals with performance of these institutions in economy of the hand-woven carpet industry of khorassan razavi province and tries to identify the existing problems and obstacles. indeed, this research work tries to reach an answer to these questions, “how can we remove problems of producing hand-woven carpets by cooperatives?”, “how can we decrease production expenses by supporting the producing agents and to improve commerce as to this beautiful exportable goods?, and “how can me restore our exclusive status in the market?” 2. theoretical framework nowadays partnership of the people in determining their destiny especially as to economic domains became more necessary. relying on public partnership and group activities and merging knowledge and modern economic experiences can present an appropriate method for solving problems arisen from unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment status of rural districts. development of producing cooperatives including industrial cooperatives shall be an advantage for the villagers to achieve the best levels of sustainable development. 3. methodology the present research work is of qualitative studies type and is done with the aim to remove the needs in economic fields of hand-woven carpet with emphasis on the applied aspects. the nature and method of this research work is of descriptive-analytical type. the data required for this research work are gathered from documents and library sources and through interview with 55 samples from the statistical society by using field method. 4. discussion on the basis of studies already done and data analysis as to this research work, from among the most important achievements of the cooperatives as governmental institutions in the structure of the hand-woven carpet industry the following items are outstanding: a)role of cooperatives in process of economic growth and production of hand-woven carpets. analyzing the results and the viewpoints of the experts in this field shows that preparation of appropriate infrastructures for development of handicrafts, selling and buying in internal and international levels will cause promotion of economy. the results show that increase of production of hand-woven carpets by cooperatives will bring numerous positive economic effects. employment, decreasing unemployment rate, increase of capital, decrease of disadvantages among rural society, promotion of tourism industry are the main effects. b)role of cooperatives in promotion of the hand-woven carpets quality and remove the problems. according to the studies done, the facilities that the cooperative supply for their members in order to get economic growth plays the most important role in increasing production rate and economic growth in cooperatives. 5– conclusion the result of studies shows that the hand-woven carpet cooperatives play an effective role in production of hand-woven carpet without defect and in development of exports. efficiency of these cooperatives in helping the waivers and removing their problems as to making incomes and investment in this industry has been noticeable. supervising the method of weaving, and preparation of high-quality materials by these cooperatives, having identity and trademark, decreasing the role of middlemen and dealers are all important subjects that cause promotion of this valuable industry. production of all type of handicrafts in general and hand-woven carpet in particular cause income and has a considerable value added. investment in this section will help iran to get rid of mono-poly economy. these types of activities in rural section need more governmental supports and investment which cause production rate. such supports strengthen the producers in this field that cause decrease of unemployment.